Apparatus for raising sunken vessels



1. A. mzvno.

APPARATUS FOR RAISING SUNKEN VESSELS.

' APPLICATION FILED DEC.30, I920- 1,415,532.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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Patented May 9; 1922.

l. A. DE V lT0. APPARATUS FOR RAlSlNG SUNKEN VES SELS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-30; 1920.. 1 $15,532, Patented May 9. 1922.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2- m m w W .l. A. DE VITO.

APPARATUS FOR RAISl-NG SUNKEN VESSELS- APPLICATION FILED DEC.30, 1920.1,415,532, Patented May 9, 1922.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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MOI-22697 .l. A. DE VITO.

APPARATUS FORRAISING SUNKEN VESSELS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.30, 1920. 1,41 5,532, Patented May 9, 1922.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

II II Illllllllll toons connected at their pair-ea stares JOHN A. DEVITO, OF MEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS. I

APPARATUS FOR RAISING SUNKEN VESSELS.

1&15532.

Application filed. December 30, 1920.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. DE VITO, a citizen of the United States,residing at Medford, in the county of Middlesex and State ofMassachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Apparatus for RaisingSunken Vessels, of, which the following description, in connection withthe accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on thedrawings representmg like parts.

The invention to be hereinafter described relates to salvaging apparatusfor raising sunken vessels of the general type disclosed in my copendingapplication, Serial No. 350,757, filed January 12, 1920.

This apparatus comprises a pair of ponends and provided with series ofjaws or supporting arms distributed along the lengths of the pontoons.The pontoons are movable away from one another to a distance sufiicientto enable. the apparatus to be lowered downward to the ocean bottom tothe opposite sides of the sunken vessel. Then the pontoons are movabletoward each other to bring the jaws or supporting arms into position toengage and support the sunken vessel.

The apparatus is preferably moved obliquely toward the sunken vessel,that is. the fore end of the apparatus is first lowered until the foreends of the pontoons straddle the sunken vessel. A column is provided toguide the fore end of the apparatus toward the sunken vessel, and thenthe aft end of the apparatus is lowered downward. After the pontoonshave been moved toward each other to grasp the sunken vessel, preferablythe apparatus together with the sunken vessel is brought to the surfaceof the water in an oblique path. Preferably the aft end of the apparatusis raised first. and then the fore end of the apparatus is broughtupward.

The apparatus is lowered by admitting water into the pontoons, and israised by driving the water from the pontoons.

One of the purposes of the present inven tion is to provide improvedmeans for moving the pontoons and the supporting arms toward each otherinto position to grasp thehull of the sunken vessel.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 9, 1922, Serial N0. 434,122. Y

Devices are said. application for locking the pontoons after they havemoved toward each other.

.Another purpose of the present invention is to prov de simple andeflicient means for controlling the locking devices.

' In the apparatus of said application the control of the apparatus isobtained by in-' column will not shift laterally after beingplacedadjacent an end of the sunken vessel, and thus the column can be reliedupon properly to guide the apparatus toward the sunken vessel.

Since the apparatus preferably is raised obliquely from the bottom ofthe ocean, there is a tendency for the vessel carried thereby to shiftor slide toward the fore end of the apparatus which is preferably raisedlast. nother purpose of the invention is to provide improved means whichmay be. engaged by the hull of the vessel, and move ment of the lattertoward the fore end of the apparatus may be limited. As a consequence,the fore end of the apparatus is desirably protected from injury such asmight occur if the vessel were allowed to shift into engagementtherewith.

With the aforesaid and other purposes in view, the character of theinventionwill be best understood by reference to the followingdescription of one good form thereof shown in th accompanying drawings,wheremz- Fig. 1 1s a vertlcal section through the apparatus showing thesame at the surface of the water in position in readiness to be loweredto a sunken vessel;

Fig.2 is a plan showing the arrangement of the control devices mountedon the pontoon or attending ship, and the pipe lead- Another'purprovided in the apparatus of f ing therefrom co-operating with theinstrumentalities of the apparatus controlled. thereby;

Fig. 3 is a plan of the fore end portion of the apparatus;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 4? is a detail of the pontoon lock arms;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail to be referred to;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a detail of the device for controllingthe chain for limiting movement of the vessel toward the fore end of theapparatus;

Fig. 7 on an enlarged scale is a vertical section taken on line 7 -7 ofFig. i;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of one end of the apparatus,certain parts being shown in section;

Fig. 9 is a vertical section through the control cylinders located atone end of the apparatus;

Fig. 10 is a vertical section through one of the control cylinders shownin Fig. 9, and illustrating the dogs and rack for look ing the stem ofthe piston of the cylinder; and

Fig. 11 on an enlarged scale is a perspec tive view of the guide columnand the anchoring device therefor.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus shown therein as one good formof the invention, comprises a pair of pontoons 1 of appropriate size tofurnish the buoyanc necessary to raise the sunken vessel. Mounted onthese pontoons are series of jaws or supporting arms 3. In the presentinstance. these arms are pivotal y connected to the pontoons, and areheld by chains 5 or other appropriate flexible connections having theirlower ends secured to the arms and their upper ends secured to yokes 7adapted to slide along chairs 9.

It is desirable that these arms may be ad justed to conform to thecontour of the hull of the sunken vessel. To accomplish this. the yokes7 may be connected to stems 11 pistons 13 mounted in cylinders 15supported by the chairs 9 referred to. Fluid for operating these pistonsis admitted to the cylinders, as more fully hereinafter described. Theconstruction is such that when the fluid is admitted to these cylinders,the pistons and yokes will be moved upward. thereby drawing the chains 5and arms 3 upward until further movement of the latter is limited byengagement with the hull of the vessel. As a consequence, the work ofsupporting the hull is desirably distributed to and borne by thesupporting arms. Suitable means may be provided to hold the arms intheir positions of adjustment. To accomplish this, the yokes may beprovided with lock dogs 7 adapted to engage racks on the chairs atopposite sides of the cylinders 15.

When the apparatus is at the surface of the water, and is moved downtoward the sunken vessel, it is desirable that the pontoons shall be asufficient distance apart to enable the same to be located at oppositesides of the hull ofthe sunken vessel. Then it is desirable that thepontoons shall be moved toward each other to bring the arms 3 insupporting relation with respect to the hull of the sunken vessel. Toaccomplish this, suitable means may be provided enabling the movement ofthe pontoons toward and from each other. This means, in the presentinstance, comprises arms 17 having their outer ends rigidly secured tothe pontoons, and their inner ends pivotally connected by shafts 19.These arms may be desirably secured to the pontoons at or adjacent tothe ends thereof, in order that they may clear the fore and. aft ends ofthe sunken. vessel when the apparatus is lowered down over the same.

Suitable means may be provided for movingthe pontoons toward each otherto bring the arms 3 in position to support the sunken vessel. Thismeans, in the present instance, comprises pairs of links 21 having theirouter ends pivotally connected to the arms 17 and their inner endspivotally connected by a shaft 23. Mounted on each of the shafts 19referred to, is a block or support 25 on which are mounted a group ofcylinders 27 (Figs. 4 and 9), in the present in stance, three in number.These cylinders are provided with pistons 29 having rods 31 connected tothe link shaft 28.

The construction is such that when fluid is admitted to the cylinders 27by means to be described, the pistons 29 and their rods 31 are thrustdownward, thereby moving the links 21 from straightened to buckledcondition. As a consequence, the pontoons are drawn toward each otherand toward op 1 positc sides of the hull of the sunken vessel to bringthe arms into positions adjacent the hul Then the supporting arms may beadjusted to conform to the contour of the hull, as already described.

The pr vision of groups of cylinders for moving the pontoons toward eachother is adesirable feature, since smaller cylinders can be employedthan if this work were to be accomplished by one cylinder at each end ofthe apparatus, and more eliicient control over the pontoons may bemaintained.

It is desirable that after the pontoons have been adjusted toward eachother, they shall be held in this position without moving away from andreleasing the hull of the sunken vessel. If the fluid pressure ismaintained on the pistons of the cylinders 27 it will be impossible forthe pistons to move upward, and this will serve as one means for holdingthe pistons. However, it is desirable positively to lock the pontoonsafter they have been moved toward each other, in order that in case thefluid pressure on the pistons should be released for any reason, thepontoons will be'prevented from moving away from each other and preventrelease of the vessel. To accomplish this, the piston stems 31 referredto, may be provided with racks 33 at opposite edges thereof, and dogs 35may be pivotally mounted on the blocks 25 and co-operate with theseracks. The weight of the dogs and their relation is such with respect tothe pivotal points of the dogs that the latter will automatically moveinto lockingrelation with the racks, in case the latter tend to moveupward.

It is desirable to provide means for releasing the dogs from the racksto permit the pontoons to move away from each other after the apparatushas been raised to the surface of the water. To accomplish this, acylinder 37 (Figs. 8 and 9) may be provided at each end of theapparatus, and maybe conveniently mounted on the block '25. adjacent thecylinders 27. This cylinder contains a piston 39 connected by astem 40to a cross head 41, having its opposite ends connected by links 43 witharms 4:5 (Figs. 8 and 10) on rock shafts 4E7 journalled in bearings in asupport 49 conveniently mounted on and secured to the cylinders 27. Faston the rock shafts are arms 51 connected by links 53 with thedogs 35. op

The construction is such that when pressure is admitted to the cylinders37 by means to be described, the pistons 39, their stems 40 and thecross heads 41 will be moved upward, thereby operating through the links43 and arms 45 to rock the shafts 47 and through the arms 51 and links53 withdraw the dogs from engagement with the racks.

In some instances it'may be desirable to provide further means forlocking the pontoons after they have been adjusted toward each other.For example,'in rough weather there may be a tendency to move thepontoons or the connections to the dogs so as to release the dogs. Thelocking means about to be described will prevent such occurrence. Thismeans, in the present instance, comprises groups of locking arms 55located at opposite ends of the apparatus, and having their outer endspivotally connected to brackets 57 on the pontoons. These look ing armsare provided with elongated slots 59 having a series of notches 61 inthe upper edges thereof adapted for locking engagement with shafts 63(Fig. 9) extending through the piston stems 31.

The notched edges 61 of the lock arms have portions 61 of a pitchsufficient to allow the notches to slide over the shaft 63 when thepontoons are moved towardeach other, and said notched edges haveportions in the present instance, comprises a cylinder 65 provided ateach end'of the apparatus, and may be conveniently mounted on thesupporting block 25 adjacent the cylinders 27. Mounted in the cylinder65 is a piston 67 connected by a stem 69 with a cros'shead 71 havingcarriers 72 for pulleys 73. Chains 75 or other sultable flexible membersmayhave ends connected to certain of the lock arms 55, and may beextended upward 7 through guide eyes 77 mounted on the arms 17 (seeFigs. 3 and l).- The chains may be extended thence over the pulleys 73and down around pulleys 79 secured to the lower end of the cylinder 65.The chains may be extended thence upward over other pulleys, downthrough other guide. eyes, and their opposite ends may be secured toother lock arms.

The construction is such that thelock arms will tend to gravitatedownward and bring their lock notches into locking engage ment with theshafts 63. "When fluid pressure is admitted to the cylinders 65 by meansto be described, the lock arms will be pulled upward, thereby bringingthe lock "notches thereof up out of engagement with the shafts 63 soasto permit the arms to slide relatively to said shafts. lVhen thepressure in said cylinders is released, the lock arms willrock downwardand cause certain of the notches thereof to engage the shafts 63 andsecurely lock the pontoons against movement from each other.

To strengthen or stiffen the pontoons and prevent them from arching outunder; ,the load of the sunken vessel, they may be providedwithlongitudinal ribs or projections 81 (Fig. 1 ,in the presentinstance, wedgeshaped in section and projecting outwardly from thepontoons.

To contribute to the lateral stability of the apparatus, cylinders 83may be provided on the pontoons, preferably adjacent the fore end of theapparatus. These cylinders may be filled with air and maintained inclosed condition, so that they not only serve to'contribute to thelateral stability of the appallO ratus, but also may assist raising ofthe into the pontoons, and to raise the apparatus, compressed air isforced into the pontoons to drive the water therefrom. To enable thelowering and raising of the apparatus in oblique position and facilitatecontrol thereof the apparatus may be divided into fore compartments(Figv 2) and aft compartments 3? -:eparated by partition walls 39.Valves 91 may be provided for controlling the entrance of water into thecompartments through the lower walls of the pontoons, and the dischargeof water therefrom. Since these valves may be similar to the valve for asimilar purpose shown in Fig. 8 of my copending application abovereferred to, it is unnecessary to show and describe the same in detailherein. The air for forcing the water from the compartments i.-:admitted thereto by means to be described.

As stated, after the apparatus has been moved downward into position totake the sunken vessel, it is preferably moved upward while maintainedin oblique position, and since the aft end is raised first, there wouldbe a tendency for the vessel carried by the apparatus to shift towardthe fore end thereof. Therefore, it is desirable to provide means forlimiting such movement of the vessel, in order that it may not jamagainst and injure parts adjacent the fore end of the apparatus. Thislimiting means, in the present instance, comprises a rnain 93 (Figs. 3and 4) or other suitable flexible member bridging the space between thepontoons and having ends secured to the arms 17. The chain intermediateits ends is extended through and guided by eyes 95 on slides 97 (Figs. 3and 6) having 'l'-shaped edges 99 adapted to slide in guides 101 securedto the pontoons. Pairs of dogs 103 are pivotally connected to the slides97 by pins 105, and said dogs are adapted to co operate with pairs ofracks 107 on the inner faces of the guides 101.

To move the slides toward the aft end of the apparatus, they may havepins 109 pivotally connected to stems 111 of pistons 112 working incylinders 115 mounted on the pontoons.

To move the slides toward the fore end of the apparatus, the dogs mayhave pins 117 pivotally connected to stems 119 of pistons 121 working incylinders 123. Fluid may be admitted to these cylinders by m ans to bedescribed.

When the pistons 112 are moved in an aft direction, the slides 97 willbe moved in an aft direction and take up on the cross chain 93 andtighten the same one end oi the vessel. The pull on the chain rocks theslides slightly about the pins 109 in clockwise direction (Figs. 3 and6), thereby operating through the dog pins 105 to rock the dogs 103 onthe pins 117 toward the racks. The slides have sufficient play in theirguides to allow the slight rocking movement of the slides described.When the chain has been sufiiciently tightened, the dogs will interlockwith the rack and prevent relaxing of the chain, and thereby limit themovement of the vessel toward the fore end of the apparatus. As aconsequence, the vessel cannot jam against and injure parts adjacent thefore end of the apparatus.

When it is desired to relax the chain, fluid is admitted into thecylinders 123 to move the pistons 121 toward the fore end of theapparatus. The rods 119 operating through the pins 117 rock the dogsabout the pins 105 in a contra-clockwise direction, thereby moving thesame, so as to relax the cross chain. I

To prevent the cross chain 93 when slack from interference with parts atthe fore end of the apparatus. shields 23 (Figs. 4: and 9) may beprovided secured to sleeves 23 on the shaft 23 and located between thepiston rods 31.

its stated, means is provided for guiding the fore end of the apparatustoward the sunken vesseln This means, in the present instance, comprisesa column 122 provided with a guideway 122 receiving a slide 125 havingan eye 127 adapted to be connected to the fore ends of the pontoons by across cable 129. This column may have a pair of cylinders orcompartments 131 adjacent the lower end thereof, and adapted to have airconfined therein to contribute to the lateral stability of the column.

The upper end of the column may be supported by a scow 133 or a shipattending the apparatus. The column may have a valve 135 adjacent thelower end thereof which may be opened to cause the lower end of thecolumn to sink to the bottom of the ocean, and air may be forced intothe column through a pipe 137 to drive the water from the column toenable elevation thereof to the surface of the water as required.

The water control valve and the means for forcing air thereinto may besimilar to the means for these purposes shown in my copendingapplication. referred to, and therefore, it is unnecessary to show anddescribe the same in detail herein.

The lower end of the column should be lowered to a point adjacent oneend of the sunken vessel, and it is desirable that it should be anchoredin position, and not shift laterally away from this position. Toaccomplish this, the lower end of the column may have an anchor 138which may be desirably formed so as to have a series of vertical ribs139 which may sink into the silt or material at the bottom of the ocean,and thereby prevent lateral movement of the anchor. The lower end of thecolumn may also be provided with kedge anchors 140, further tocontribute to the secure anchorage of the lower endof the column.Preferably this anchor is fulcrumed on a shaft 111 carried by the lowerend of the column, and a 1 heel 143 is providedprojecting beyond saidsha ft, and having a butler 1&5 for engagement with the lower end of thecolumn to limit the downward rocking movement of the anchor. i

The construction is such that when the column is lowererhthe buffer 145will engage the column, and the anchor will point downward in thegeneral direction of the length of the column. When the point of theanchor engages the bottom of the ocean, the

column will continue to rock downward until the anchor rests in asubstantially horizontal It will be noted that the guide 123 for theslide terminates short of the end of the column. A a consequence, fatterit has served the purpose of guiding the fore end' of the apparatus tothe sunken vessel. the slide may escape from the guide and not interferewith the raising of the apparatus and the sunken vessel water; 9

In my copending application, the apparatus is controlled from attendingvessels at opposite ends of the apparatus. As stated, another purpose ofthe present invention is to provide means whereby the control may beobtained principally from an attending vessel at one end of theapparatus.

To admit air to the aft compartments of the pontoons, pipes 147 (Fig. 2)may be provided having ends communicating with the aft compartments, andends communicating with control boxes 149 mounted on the at tendingvessel, said pipes. being provided with valves 151. To admit fluid tothese boxes. branch pipes 153 are provided communicating with said boxesand with a main pipe 155, said branch pipes being provided with valves157. Compressed air may be supplied to the main pipe 155 from an aircompressor connected by a pipe 159 with the main pipe 155. This aircompressor iscarried by the attending vessel, and since any suitablewell known form of air compressor maybe provided for the purpose, it isunnecessary to show the same herein.

To admit fluid tothe fore compartments 85,,- pipes 161 may be providedhaving ends communicating with the fore compartments,

to the surface of the and. ends communicating with the control boxes149, said pipes being provided with valves 163.

To admit fluid to the cylinders 27 for moving the pontoons-, toward eachother,

branch pipes 165. may be provided commu-"' nicating with saidcylinders,-and communicating with a pipe 167 leading toacontrol box 169,said pipe 167. being provided with a control valve 171.- Fluid may besupplied to the control box 169 from the main pipe,

155 through a branch pipe 173 provided with a valve 17 Thus, the groupsof cylinders 27 at both ends of the apparatus are controlled fromthe'cont-rol box 169 at one end of the apparatus.

To control the cylinders 37 for releasing the dogs which co-operate withthe piston racks, said cylinders are connected by branch pipes 177 witha main pipe 179leading to a-control box 181, saidpipe l79zbeing providedwith a valve 183. Fluid may be supplied from the main pipe 155 to thebox 181 through a branch valve 187.

pipe 185 provided with a The construction is such that the cylinders foreffecting the release of the rack dogs may be controlled from a controlbox at one end of the apparatus. I

To supply fluid to the cylinders 65 for releasingthe lock arms 55,branch pipes 189;

be provided leading from the lower ends of the cylinders 37 to the lowerends of the cylinders 65. Thus, when fluid is admitted to the cylinders37 to release the dogs 35 from the piston-racks 33, fluid will also beadmitted to the cylinders 65 to -r'elease the lock arms 55 from theshafts 63.

To admit fluid to the cylinders;15 for moving the supporting arms 3into, positions to conform to the contour of the hull of the vessel,branch pipes 191 may lead from the cylinders 15 to pipes 193extending'longitudinally of the pontoo'ns and communicating with thecontrol boxes 149, said pipes-193 being provided with valves'195.

moving the slides 97 in an .at't direction to tighten the cross chain93, the pipes 193 may have extensions 197 communicating with theforeends of said cylinders 115.

Thus, when the fluid is admitted to the To admit fluid to the cylindersfor cylinders for rocking the supporting arms inward to conform to thecontour of the. hull oi the vessel, fluid will be admitted into thecylinders for moving the slides 197 in an aft direction to tighten thecross chain 93 into engagement with anend of the vessel,

so as to prevent the latter from jamming into and in uring parts at thefore end of the apparatus.

To .admit fluid to the cylinders 123' for shifting the slides 97 .in afore direction to relax the cross chain 93, pipes 199 may be providedleading from the lower end of the toward the hull of the sunken vessel.

cylinder 37 located at the aft end of the apparatus for controlling therelease of the dogs from the piston racks 33.

The construction is such that fluid will be admitted to the cylinders 37for releasing the dogs 35 from the piston racks 33, and will pass thenceto the cylinders for releasing the lock arms 55, and pass to thecylinders 123 for releasing the dogs 103 from the racks 107, thereby toallow slackening of the cross chain 93.

The fluid opera-ted instrumenta-lities of the apparatus may becontrolled by compressed air or by hydraulic pressure, with theexception of the raising and submerging of the apparatus which must bepneumatically controlled. It is desirable to control the otherinstrumentalities by hydraulic pressure, since it is more positive andeflicient than pneumatic pressure.

To enable the control to be effected by hydraulic pressure, a pipe 201may be provided leading from a suitable hydraulic apparatus to the mainpipe 155. Since this hydraulic apparatus may be of any suitable wellknown construction, it is unnecessary to show and describe the sameherein. The pipe 159 leading from the air compressor, and the pipe 201leading from the hydraulic apparatus may be provided with valves 203 and205 respectively, so that the control may be effected pneumatically orhydraulically at will.

The control boxes 149 may be provided with vent valves 207, and thecontrol boxes 169 and 131 may be provided with vent valves 209 and 211respectively.

In operation, when it is desired to submerge the apparatus, the valves163 in the pipes 161 leading to the fore compartments 85 are opened, thevalves 157 leading to the control boxes 149 are closed, and the ventvalves 207 are opened. This will allow air to escape from the forecompartments and allow water to enter the same, thereby causing the foreend of the apparatus to move downward.

Then the valves 151 in the pipes 147 leading to the aft compartments areopened, thereby allowing the airto escape from and water to enter saidcompartments and cause the same to lower. By manipulation of the valves151 and 163, the inclination of the apparatus and the lowering thereofmay be controlled as desired. 7'

After the apparatus has been lowered to bring the pontoons at oppositesides of the hull of the sunken vessel, the pontoons should be movedtoward one another and To accomplish this, the valve 171 is opened inthe pipe 167 leading to the branch pipes 165 leading in turn to thecylinders 27. The vent valve 209 is closed and the valve 175 is openedin the branch pipe 173 leading to the control boxes 169. The valve 203in the pipe 159 leading from the air compressor is closed, and the valve205 in the pipe 201 leading from the hydraulic apparatus is opened. Thiswill admit hydraulic pressure to the main pipe 155, branch pipe 173,control box 169, and thence through the pipes 167 and 165 to thecylinders 27 This will cause the pistons in said cylinders to movedownward and buckle the toggle links 21, and thereby move the pontoonstoward each other and toward the hull of the vessel. 'lhereupon, thedogs 35 will automatically lock the piston racks 33 and prevent movementof the pontoons away from each other.

The notches 61 of the lock arms 55 have inclined portions 61 of lesspitch than the inclined portions 61* the construction being such thatthe notched edges of the lock arms will slide over the shafts 63 whenthe pontoons are moved toward each other, but the notched edges willautomatically prevent movement of the pontoons away from each other bythe engagement of their steep pitched portions 61 with the shafts 63.

Thus, the hydraulic pressure standing in the cylinders 37, the dogs 35co-operating with the piston racks 33, and the lock arms cooperatingwith the shafts 63 will. reliably prevent movement of the pontoons awayfrom each other, and prevent release of the vessel.

As the pontoons are moved toward each other, the supporting arms 3 willbe moved toward each other. Then it is desirable that these arms shallbe adjusted into conformity with the contour of the hull of the ves- Toaccomplish this, the valves 195 are opened in the pipes 193, therebyadmitting hydraulic pressure from the control boxes H9 through the pipes193 and the branch pipes 191 to the cylinders 15. The latter will slidethe yokes 7 upward, and through the chains (onnecting the same with thesupporting arms 3- will move the latter inward into conformity with thecontour of the hull of the vessel. Reverse movement of the supportingarms will be prevented automatically by the engagement of the yoke dogswith the racks on the chairs 9.

At the same time that fluid is admitted to the arm controlling cylinders15, fluid is admitted through the pipes 197 to the cylinders 115,thereby adjusting the slides 97 toward the aft end of the apparatus andtightening the cross chain 93 into engagement with the hull of thevessel.

Now the apparatus has taken hold of the sunken vessel and is incondition to be raised to the surface of the water. To accomplish this,the valve 205 in the pipe 201 leading from the hydraulic apparatus isclosed, the valve 203 in the pipe 159 leading from the air compressor isopened, and the valves 151 in the pipes 147 leading to the aft tively tosaid shafts.

compartments are opened, therebyadmitting compressed air tothesecompartments and forcing the water therefrom. As a consequence, the aftend of the apparatus will use.

Then the valves 163 in the pipes 161 leading to the fore compartmentsare opened, thereby admitting compressed air into these compartments andforcing the water therefrom. Thereupon, the fore end of theapparatuswill rise. After the water has been driven from the fore and aftcompartments, the valves 151 and 163 are closed so as to hold the airtherein;

Then such repairs as may be necessary may be made on thevessel, anditmay be floated from the apparatus by lowering one end of the apparatusfrom the vessel so as to allow the latter to-pa-ss out over the same.

hen it is desired to allow the pontoons to move away from each other,the valves 183 and 187 may be opened, thereby admitting hydraulicpressurethrough the pipe 17 9 and the branch pipes 171 to the cylinders37. This will cause the pistons in said cylinders to move upward andthrough the connections described rock the dogs-350m; of engagement withthe piston stem racks Fluid pressure will passfrom the cylinders37through the pipes 189 to the cylinders 65,,and thereby draw the chainsupward for raising the lock arms so as to release their notched edgesfrom the shafts 63-, and allow the arms to slide outward rela- Fluidwill also pass fromv the at the aft end of the apparatus through thepipes199 to the cylinders 123 and release the dogs 103 from the racks107. This will allow slackening of the cross chain 95.

Then theapparatus is in readiness to be.

submerged again.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificembodiment shown, and that various deviations may be made therefromwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed 1s: 1. An apparatus for raising sunken vessels.comprising, in combination, pontoons,

having series of supporting arms projecting therefrom. means connectingthe ends of said pontoons having provision permitting movement of thepontoons toward or away from each other, a group of cylinders at eachend of the pontoons having pistons and rods for relatively moving thepontoons, means to supply fluid to said cylinders to operate saidpistons, racks for said rods, lock dogs co-operating with said racks,cylinders having pistons therein, and connections includ ing links andlevers between said dogs and,

lastwnamed' pistons for releasing the dogs from the racks. I

2. :An apparatus for raising sunken vescylinder 37 sels, comprising: invcombination, pontoons having series of: supporting arms projectingtherefrom, means connecting the ends of the pontoons having prov sionpermitting movement of the pontoons toward or from each other, meansincluding fore and aft cylinders having pistons and rods for relativelymov ing the pontoons, racks. for said rods, dogs pistons and dogs forreleasing the same, locking members for preventing movement of thepontoons away from each other,.cy1l-I-v inders having pistons therein,and connections between the pistons and locking members to release thelatter. v

sels, comprising, in combination, connected pontoons. movable as a unitto positions atopposite sides of the-hull of a sunken vessel, a flexiblecross member extendingfrom one relatively movable pontoon'to the otherfor limiting movement of a sunken vessel toward one end of theapparatus, andmeans for tightening or relaxing said cross member. 4. Anapparatus for raising sunken ves sels, comprising, in combination,"connected pontoonsmovable as a unit to positions at opposite sides ofthe hull of a sunkenvessel,

0. An apparatus for raising sunken ves-v aflexiblecross member connectedto; the";

relatively movable pontoons and arranged to;

limit movement of a sunken vessel toward pontoons movable ,as'a unit topositions at opposite sidesof the hull of asunken' ves-' sel, a flexiblecross member arranged to limit movement of a sunken vessel toward'oneend of the apparatus, means for tightening said crossmember "uponpositioning the pontoons at opposite sides of the hull, means con-,

trolled from the surface of the water'ab'ove' the apparatus foroperating the tightening means, I and means automatically to secure thecross member intightened condition.

6. An apparatus forraismg sunken ves-' sels,,comprising, in combination,pontoons having series of supporting'arms projecting therefromt'o'engage the hull of a sunken yes-.

sel,"a flexible member for limiting movement 7 .of a vessel towardone-end of the apparatus, slides co-operating with said member,,fluidpressurejmeans for moving said slides to' shorten the effective lengthof saidimember, racks adjacent said slides, and dogs on -said;s lidesco-operating with said racks to hold the slides in their positionsofadjustment;

7. An apparatus for raising sunken vessels, comprising, in combination,connected pontoons movable as a unit to positions at opposite sides ofthe hull of a sunken vessel, means to adjust said pontoons toward orfrom each other, a flexible member for limiting movement of a vesseltoward one end of the apparatus, slides for taking up slack in saidmember, means to operate said slides, and means to lock said slides.

8. An apparatus for raising sunken vessels, comprising, in combination,pontoons, means for moving said pontoons toward or from each other, aflexible cross member for limiting movement of a vessel toward one endof the apparatus, slides for taking up slack in the cross member, guidesfor the slides, fluid pressure means for movingthe slides along theirguides to take up slack in vthe flexible member, and fluid pressuremeans for moving the slides to relax the same.

9. An apparatus for raising sunken vessels, comprising, in combination,pontoons, means to move said pontoons toward or away from each other, aflexible member for limiting movement of a vessel toward one end of theapparatus, slides for taking up slack in said member, guides for saidslides, racks, dogs on said slides for engagement with said racks, meansto move said slides to take up slack in said flexible member and rockthe dogs into engagement with the racks, and means to rock the dogs outof engagement with the racks and relax the flexible member.

10. An apparatus for raising sunken vessels, comprising, in combination,pontoons, means for moving said pontoons towards or from each other, aflexible member for limiting movement of a vessel toward one end of theapparatus, slides for taking up slack in said member, guides for saidslides mounted on the pontoons, 'racks, dogs pivotally mounted on theslides for engagement with said racks, rods pivotally connected to saidslides, pistons on said rods, and cylinders for said pistons adapted tobe subjected to fluid pressure for moving the slides to take up slack inthe flexible member and urge the dogs toward their racks.

11. An apparatus for raising sunken vessels, comprising, in combination,pontoons, means for moving said pontoons towards or from each other, aflexible member for limiting movement of a vessel toward one end of theapparatus, slides for taking up slack in said member, guides for saidslides mounted on the pontoons, racks, dogs pivotally mounted on theslides for engagement with said racks, rods pivotally connected to saidslides, pistons on said rods, cylinders for said pistons adapted to besubjected to fluid pressure for moving the slides to take up slack inthe flexible member and urge the dogs toward their racks, rods pivotallyconnected to said dogs, pistons on said rods, and

cylinders for said pistons adapted to be subj ected to fluid pressurefor moving the dogs away from the racks and relaxing the flexiblemember.

12. in apparatus for raising sunken vessels, comprising, in combination,pontoons, means to move said pontoons toward or away from each other,supporting arms projecting from said pontoons, means to adjust saidsupporting arms into positions to conform with the contour of the hullof a vessel, and fluid pressure operated means for controlling themovement of the pontoons toward or from each other, and for controllingmovements of the arms in conformity with the contour of the hull of thevessel, and means to operate all of said control means from one end ofthe apparatus.

13. An apparatus for raising sunken vessels, comprising, in combination,pontoons, means at the ends of the pontoons to adjust said pontoonstoward or from each other, means at the ends 01 the pontoons to locksaid pontoons after they have been moved toward each other, fluidpressure means controlled at one end of the apparatus for operating eachmeans for moving the pontoons, and fluid pressure means con trolled atone end of the apparatus for releasing the means for locking the sameafter they have been moved toward each other.

14. An apparatus for raising sunken vessels, comprising, in combination,pontoons, arms projecting inward from said pontoons and having theirends pivotally connected, links having their outer ends pivotallyconnected to said arms and their inner ends pivotally connected,cylinders having pistons and rods for buckling said links to move thepontoons toward each other, racks for said rods, dogs for engagementwith said racks, cylinders having pistons and connections for releasingsaid dogs, and fluid pressure controlled from one end of the apparatusfor admitting fluid to all the cylinders for moving the pontoons towardeach other, and to all the cylinders for releasing the dogs from theracks.

15. An apparatus for raising sunken Vessels, comprising, in combination,pontoons having arms projecting inward therefrom with their .inner endspivotally connected, links connected to said arms and having their innerends pivotally connected, means including cylinders having pistons forbuckling said links to move the pontoons toward each other, racks anddogs for locking the pontoons after they have been moved toward eachother, means including cylinders and pistons for releasing the dogs fromthe lOO racks, supporting arms projecting from the pontoons, meansincluding cylinders and pistons for moving the supporting arms intopositions to conform to the contour of the hull of a vessel, and fluidpressure operating means for admitting fluid to all of said cylindersunder control from one end of the apparatus.

- 16, An apparatus for raising sunken vessels, comprising, incombination, pontoons, means connecting said pontoons having provisionpermitting movement of said pontoons toward or from each other, acolumn, a slide for connection with one end of the apparatus and havingsliding engagement with the column to guide the apparatus toward thebottom of the ocean, and an anchor swingingly connected to the lower endof the column having provision to prevent lateral shifting of the columnon the ocean bottom.

17. An apparatus for raising sunken vessels, comprising, in combination,pontoons, means connecting said pontoons that they may move downward asa unit toward a sunken vessel, a guide column, an anchor pivotallyconnected to the lower end of the column and having provision to preventlateral shifting of the lower end of the'column, a guideway on thecolumn, and a slide connected to one end of the apparatus adapted tomove along said guideway to direct the apparatus toward the sunkenvessel.

'18. An apparatus for raising sunken vessels, comprising, incombination, pontoons, means connecting said pontoons that they maysubmerge as a unit toward a sunken vessel, a guide column, an anchorpivoted to the lower end of the column and having means to limit rockingmovement of the anchor with respect to the column, a guideway on thecolumn, and a. slide connected to the apparatus adapted to move alongthe guideway to direct the apparatus toward the sunken vessel.

19. An apparatus for raising sunken vessels, comprising, in combination,pontoons, means connecting said pontoons that they may submerge as aunit toward a sunken vessel, a hull guide column adapted to receivewater to cause the lower end of the column to move toward the bottom ofthe. ocean, compartments adjacent the lower end of the column forbalancing the column laterally, an anchor at the lower end of the columnto prevent lateral shifting thereof, a guideway extending along thecolumn, and aslide con-,

nected to one side of the apparatus adapted to move along the guide wayto direct the apparatus toward the sunken vessel.

20. An apparatus for raising sunken vessels, comprising, in combination,pontoons,

means connecting the same that they may submerge as a unit toward asunken vessel, means to ad ust said pontoons toward or from each other,supporting arms projecting length thereof to strengthen the pontoons.

21. An apparatus for raising sunken ves- I sels, comprising, incombination, connected pontoons movable as a unit to positions atopposite sides of the hull of a sunken vessel, means for moving thepontoons toward each other, a flexible cross member extending from onepontoon to the other for limiting movement of a sunken vessel toward oneend of the apparatus, and meansfor advancing said cross member toward anend of the.

opposite sides of the hull of a sunken vessel, a column for guiding thepontoons down wardly toward the sunken vessel, a sliding,

connection between the column and pone toons, and an anchor connectedtothe lower end of the column and having an extended skeleton frame forsinking into the material at the bottom of the sea;

23. An apparatus for raising sunken vessels, comprising, in combination,connected pontoons movable as a unit to positions at opposite sides ofthe hull of a sunken vessel, a column for guidingthe pontoons downwardlytoward the sunken vessel, a sliding connection between the column onpontoons, and an anchor connected to the lower end of the columnand-having a relatively flat frame provided with ribs adapted to sinkinto the material at the bottom of the sea.

24:. An apparatus for raising sunken vessels, comprislng, 1nCOIIlblIlELtlOIl, connected pontoons movable as a unit to positions atopposite sides of the hull of a sunken vessel, fluid operated means formoving the pontoons toward each other, arms pivoted to thepontoons,-fiuid operated means formoving the arm into engagement withthe'hull of the vessel, means for delivering air tothe interior of thepontoons, control boxes communicating with said fluid operated means andair means, and valve means for admittin either airor liquid to thecontrol boxes.

